MIDC may rent out IT Park building in Nashik

NASHIK: In a ray of hope for small Information & Technology (IT) units in Nashik, the regional office of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has sought approval of its head office in Mumbai to rent out IT Park building to small firms.

The move follows TOI report on the IT Park and demand for renting out this space to small IT firms. "Following demand from the small IT units, we have sent a proposal for renting out the IT Park building to small IT firms in Nashik to our head office in Mumbai for its approval. As per the MIDC norms, the rates for rent have been quoted at Rs 24 per sq ft, but the industries had demanded rental of Rs 12 per sq ft. Hence, we have also urged our head office to allow small IT firms to do business in the IT Park building at a rent of Rs 12 per sq ft," a senior official from the regional office of the MIDC told TOI.

He said the notice for renting out the space will be published soon after we get approval from the head office. "We recently organised a visit of office-bearers of Nashik District Industries & Exporters' Association (NDIEA) and small IT firms to the IT Park building in Ambad MIDC areas," he added.

A delegation of small IT firms, led by local MP Hemant Godse and president of Nashik District Industries & Exporters' Association (NDIEA) met the MIDC officials recently. At the meeting, it was decided that the proposal should be sent to the head office for its consideration.

There are around 300 small IT-ITes units spread across the city. Some of these units are ready to take galas in the IT Park building on rental basis. Accordingly, the NDIEA has been demanding the MIDC for renting out IT Park building instead of selling it to a single company.

The IT Park building is lying idle due to lack of response from the industries. MIDC had made two attempts of auctioning IT Park building in 2013 and 2014, but it did not receive any response. The IT Park building is spread over on a plot of 0.64 hectares and has total 15 shops.